How is PMR diagnosed?
There's no single test. Doctors put together the symptoms, blood tests showing inflammation, other causes ruled out, and a rapid improvement once steroids start.
Doctors can usually be confident when someone over fifty has pain in the shoulders or hips, morning stiffness that lasts a long time, symptoms for more than two weeks, raised inflammation (ESR or CRP), and symptoms that improve rapidly with steroids. X-rays, ultrasound or urine and other blood tests may be used to rule out other conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, which can look similar.
Sources
- NHS: Polymyalgia rheumatica, diagnosis
- NHS: Polymyalgia rheumatica, overview
- US National Institutes of Health (NIAMS): Polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis
- Arthritis UK (formerly Versus Arthritis): Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR)
Reviewed 2026-11-09 · next review 2027-11-09